The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of fabrication method of restorative resin-based composites on its wear using enamel as antagonist teeth. Wear evaluation was performed via two-body wear test using hemispherical samples of restorative resin-based composite (abrader specimen) fabricated through direct restoration method, indirect restoration method, and CAD/CAM, and bovine enamel (substrate specimen). As a result, there was a difference in wear volume between resin-based composite and bovine enamel depending on the fabrication method. Resin composite used for indirect restoration method showed more wear in both the abrader and substrate specimens. Resin composite used for CAD/CAM crowns showed greater wear volume in the abrader specimen. In conclusion, results clarified that fabrication method of restorative resin-based composite has an influence on the wear of the resin composite itself and enamel as antagonist teeth.

The aim of this study was to use polyetheretherketone (PEEK) for the post material and evaluate the fracture load of six restoration patterns in teeth with flared root canals; composite resin core alone (Group R); glass fiber sleeve (Group S); PEEK post (Group P); glass fiber post (Group F); PEEK post in glass fiber sleeve (Group PS); glass fiber post in glass fiber sleeve (Group FS). In this study, cylindroid specimens were prepared and underwent three-point-bending test in a steady condition and after water immersion. In the loading test, the materials in clinical conditions using bovine teeth were evaluated. In the bending test, groups using glass fiber posts and sleeves decreased in strength after water immersion. In the loading test, Groups F, FS and PS showed higher fracture load than other groups. This study showed PEEK posts and glass fiber sleeves are recommended in the case of flared root canals.

Apigenin is a type of flavonols that exhibits anti-caries properties. Bacterial adherence is the initial step in the forming of a stable biofilm that leads to caries. Bacterial adherence is affected by surface characteristics, including hydrophobicity and bacterial aggregation. However, the effect of apigenin on surface characteristics of cariogenic bacteria has not been reported. We aimed to examine the effects of apigenin on adherence and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans UA159. Hydrophobicity and bacterial aggregation, pac and gbpC gene expressions, and cytotoxicity on human dental pulp cells were also determined. Apigenin significantly inhibited the adherence and biofilm formation of S. mutans. Hydrophobicity decreased, whereas the aggregation rate was significantly increased compared with the control. Apigenin significantly suppressed pac and gbpC gene expressions. Apigenin exhibited acceptable biocompatibility on hDPCs. Thus, apigeinin may affect adherence and biofilm formation by altering the surface properties of S. mutans without obvious adverse effect on hDPCs.

This study assessed the effect of the resin-coating technique on the bond strength and internal adaptation of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)-fabricated inlays. Seventy-two mesio-occlusal-distal (MOD) cavities were prepared and distributed into 3 groups according to the resin-coating technique utilized: uncoated group, G-Premio Bond (1-step) group, and Clearfil SE Bond 2+Clearfil Majesty ES Flow (2-step+Flow) group. The MOD inlays were fabricated and cemented with RelyX Ultimate (RXU), G-CEM LinkForce (LinkForce), or Panavia V5 (PV5). After 5,000 thermal cycles, each specimen was sectioned and subjected to microtensile bond strength (MTBS) testing and an internal adaptation evaluation. For the uncoated group, RXU exhibited higher MTBS than LinkForce and PV5 (p<0.05). The MTBS of all 1-step and 2-step+Flow groups was greater than 30 MPa. Resin coating did not influence the MTBS of RXU, whereas resin coating increased the MTBS of LinkForce and PV5. More than 95% gap-free margins were found in all groups.

The aim was to investigate the effect of cryopreservation on the enamel bonding properties of orthodontic brackets. Sixty-six human premolars were randomly allocated to a control group or a cryopreserved group. Conventional stainless-steel orthodontic brackets were bonded with a light cure adhesive on the buccal side of the premolars. The shear bond strength (SBS) was determined at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The SBS and adhesive remnant index (ARI) were evaluated respectively by an independent samples t test and Fisher’s exact test (α≤0.05). The mean failure load was lower in the cryopreserved group. However, this difference in SBS was not significant (p=0.443). In both groups, the ARI mostly indicated a failure at the enamel-adhesive interface. The mean ARI scores for both groups were not significantly different (p=0.099). Within the limitations of this macro bond strength testing, it can be concluded that cryopreservation does not significantly affect the bonding properties of enamel.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bonding performance of carboxyl-based monomers in the priming agents to highly translucent zirconia. Highly translucent zirconia disk-shaped specimens of yttria-partially stabilized zirconia (Y-PSZ) (Katana HT zirconia) after sandblasting, were assigned to 5 groups according to the chemical pretreatment: no-treatment (Con), PZ Primer (PZP), PZ primer liquid A+MMA (PZA, as MDP primer), Super-Bond liquid (SBL, as 4-META primer) and experimental 5% 4-MET primer (MET). After priming, stainless steel rods were bonded to the zirconia specimens with TBB-initiated resin. The tensile bond strength test was performed after storage for 24 h, 30, and 150 days in 37°C water. The Weibull moduli decreased in all groups except PZA after 150 days. Superior bond strength observed in PZA and MET groups after aging. Application of carboxyl-based monomers were found to be effective in adhesion to highly translucent zirconia ceramics.

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of a novel surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler-containing cement for root caries. We prepared the cements using five different S-PRG filler amounts (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt%). Compressive strength, ion release, acid buffering capacity, and microstructure of the as-prepared cements were evaluated. The compressive strength was statistically significant; it was highest for 0 wt% S-PRG cement. Ion release in 0 wt% S-PRG was highest for F⁻ and Al, whereas in 40 wt% S-PRG it was highest for B. For 20, 30, and 40 wt% S-PRG cements, Na and Sr release was higher compared to the other ions. The acid buffering capacity was significantly higher in the 40 wt% S-PRG cement than in the others. In the microstructural analysis, no difference of surface structure was observed among each of the S-PRG filler contents (0–40 wt% S-PRG).

To assess, in vitro, the influence of heat air treatment on cytotoxicity and degree of conversion (DC) of universal self-etch adhesives (Ambar Universal APS, Scotchbond Universal Adhesive, and Tetric N-Bond Universal) in an NIH/3T3 fibroblast cell culture. Samples were divided into three groups: 1) no heat treatment (control), 2) 37°C and 3) 60°C heat treatment before photopolymerization. Cytotoxicity was analyzed by MTT assay and the DC by FTIR. All adhesives heated at 60°C showed reduced cytotoxicity levels when compared with those heated at 37°C. In general, DC of Ambar Universal APS presented the highest DC than Scotchbond Universal Adhesive and Tetric N-Bond Universal, and the hot air treatment do not influence the conversion. Heat treatment at 60°C was able to reduce the cytotoxicity of universal self-etch adhesives, even, the heat treatment does not enhances the DC.

This study investigated the effect of high-irradiance light-curing on exposure time and pulpal temperature of adequately-cured composite. Composite placed in a molar preparation was cured using high-irradiance light-curing units (Flashmax P3, Valo, S.P.E.C. 3 LED, Cybird XD) and tested for hardness occlusal-gingivally. The first group had exposure times set according to manufacturer settings (recommended), second group to yield 80% of maximum hardness at the 2 mm depth (experimental), and third group was set at 20 s (extended). Exposure time necessary to adequately polymerize the composite at 2 mm depth was 9 s for the Cybird XD and Valo and 12 s for S.P.E.C. 3 LED and Flashmax P3. None of the high-irradiance light-curing units adequately polymerized the composite at the manufacturer-recommended minimum-exposure times of 1–3 s. Exposure times necessary to adequately polymerize composite at 2 mm resulted in a maximum pulpal-temperature increase well below the temperature associated with possible pulpal necrosis.

This study evaluated the post-bleaching bonding performance of a one-step and two-step self-etch adhesive (SEA) to bleached enamel using in-office or at-home bleaching. Bovine enamel surfaces were treated with an in-office or at-home bleaching agent and divided into four post-bleach time periods: immediate, one day (1d), one week (1w) and one month (1m) before application of SEA systems. Enamel was bonded using the following procedures: Group 1: one-step SEA application (BeautiBond Multi, BBM), Group 2: two-step SEA application (FL-Bond II, FLBII). Microshear bond strengths (µSBS) were measured 24-h after bonding for each of the post-bleaching time periods. Acid-base resistant zones (ABRZs) were observed under SEM. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA. Bleaching caused a significant decrease of the immediate µSBSs for both adhesives (p≤0.005) then increased. Thick ABRZs were observed in BBM and FLBII after bleaching. Enamel µSBSs were adversely affected by bleaching. Thick ABRZ was created with bleaching.

The aim was to evaluate and compare certain physical properties including surface-wear of five commercial short fiber-reinforced composites (SFRCs; Alert, NovaPro-Flow, NovaPro-Fill, everX Flow and everX Posterior). The following properties were examined according to ISO: flexural strength, flexural modulus, fracture toughness, water sorption. Degree of conversion was determined by FTIR-spectrometry. A wear test was conducted with 15,000 chewing-cycles using a chewing-simulator. Polymerization shrinkage-stress was measured using tensilometer. SEM was used to evaluate the microstructure of SFRCs. everX Flow exhibited the highest fracture toughness (2.8 MPa m^1/2) and the lowest wear depth (20.4 µm) values (p<0.05) among the SFRCs tested. NovaPro Fill (141.5 MPa) and everX Flow (147 MPa) presented the highest flexural strength values (p<0.05). everX Flow showed the highest shrinkage-stress value (5.3 MPa) while other SFRCs had comparable values. The use of SFRCs in dentistry can be advantageous, but special attention should be given to the selection of the materials.

The effect of etching for 90 s with low concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0%) of hydrofluoric acid (HF) on the adhesiveness of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) resin blocks [CERASMART (CS), SHOFU BLOCK HC (HC), KATANA AVENCIA Block(KA), and VITA ENAMIC (EN)] was investigated. Energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed that the silicon content of HC, KA, and EN groups remained almost constant with HF etching of ≤4%. HF etching increased the surface roughness of all blocks. The HF concentration resulting in the highest shear bond strength in each group was as follows: CS (2.0%), HC (3.0%), KA (3.5%) and EN (0.5%). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the bonding interface of etched surfaces differed significantly from that of airborne-particle abrasion surfaces. Thus, low concentration HF etching is effective for surface treatment of CAD/CAM resin blocks. The etching effect and optimum HF concentration differ with the block composition and structure.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying the polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) method to enhance silver diamine fluoride (SDF) therapy. One hundred forty micrometer deep artificial caries lesions were treated with (A) 38% SDF solution and (B) 38% SDF containing poly-L-aspartic acid (pASP). Changes in the nanomechanical profile across the lesion were evaluated. Hydrated artificial lesions had a low reduced elastic modulus (0.3 GPa) and nanohardness (0.02 GPa) region extending about 100 μm into the lesion, with a gradual linear increase to about 168 μm where the values plateaued to around 18 GPa/1.0 GPa. Topical application of SDF resulted in significantly recovered properties (p<0.001). SDF containing pASP resulted in greater nanomechanical properties compared to SDF alone, showing similar sloped regions up to 96 μm, then SDF alone dropped while SDF containing pASP continued at a modest slope until reaching normal at 144 μm. This nanoindentation study shows enhanced SDF therapy using the PILP method.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate anti-candidal activity, gelation time, and surface hardness of a short-term soft lining material incorporated with varying concentrations of Piper betle extract (0.25 to 20% w/w). Agar-diffusion assay was conducted to evaluate an inhibitory effect against Candida albicans. The gelation time was assessed and surface hardness was measured at 2 h and 7 days by Shore AO durometer. A soft liner containing at least 5% w/w of P. betle extract was observed the inhibitory effect against C. albicans. An increasing of P. betle concentrations provided larger inhibition zone. Incorporating 5% w/w of P. betle extract into the soft liner did not significantly alter its gelation time and surface hardness (ANOVA; p>0.05). The optimum composition at 5% w/w of P. betle extract can be used as an additive in the soft liner to provide the anti-candidal activity without significantly affect these two main properties.

The effect of differences in the type of restoration and adhesive resin cement system on the bonding of CAD/CAM ceramic restoration after cyclic loading was examined quantitatively and qualitatively. Seventy-two human maxillary first molars were divided into three restoration groups: MOD-inlay, MODP-onlay, and crown. Immediate dentin sealing was applied to the exposed dentin of all prepared specimens. The 24 specimens of each restoration group were further divided into another three groups, and a different adhesive resin cement system was applied to each group for cementation. All restoratives were fabricated from feldspathic-ceramic-blocks and cemented with each adhesive resin cement system according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The microtensile bond-strength was measured after cyclic loading and was not significantly affected by differences in the type of restoration or adhesive resin cement system. However, the type of restorations and adhesive resin cement systems did show significant differences in terms of the bonding reliability.

We aimed to evaluate the biological properties of engineering plastics (PC, PSU, PAR) processed using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂). Conventional mold process was used to prepare disk-shaped samples that were then plasticized by scCO₂ at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the polymers. Surface roughness, contact angle, and amount of adsorbed protein on the surface were increased after treatment. The surface roughness of PC was significantly changed by scCO₂ treatment. Cell adhesion and proliferation changed according to the differences in surface roughness. Initially, the cell adhesion decreased in all scCO₂-treated polymers. At 3 day, the cell proliferation on scCO₂-treated PC was lower than that on non-treated PC, while that on treated and non-treated PSU and PAR samples remained unaltered. These results suggest that when supercritical treatment is performed under conditions that affect the surface properties of the material, we should consider that cell adhesion and proliferation may change.

We investigated the adsorption of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) on titanium surfaces by using the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) method, and confirmed the influence of mucin (MUC) pre-adsorption on LTA adsorption. Two injection methods were evaluated. Namely, Method A: single-step injection of LTA solution to the Ti sensor, and Method B: MUC solution was injected to the Ti sensor followed by LTA injection on the MUC pre-adsorbed surface. QCM measurement revealed that the adsorbed amount of LTA by Method A was low and constant regardless of the increase in LTA concentration. In contrast, the adsorption amount of LTA in Method B increased according with increasing concentration of LTA and was significantly higher than that of Method A. The hydrophobic surface after MUC pre-adsorption was presumed to contribute to the enhancement of LTA adsorption. Our results revealed that MUC pre-adsorption to Ti is necessary for LTA adsorption in living tissue.

The study evaluated changes in total enzymatic activity and degradation of demineralized dentin following the application of universal or self-etch adhesives. The universal adhesives —Scotchbond Universal (SU) and All-Bond Universal (ABU) and self-etch adhesives —Adper Easy Bond (EB) and G-aenial Bond (GB) were used for 2 min pretreatment of the dentin beams. Phosphoric acid (PA) treatment as well as no treatment served as controls. Total enzymatic activity was analyzed before and after treatment, collagen degradation was assessed using mass loss, C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) and C-terminal-telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) release (24 h, 3-day, 3-week). Over three weeks of incubation, ICTP release of ABU treated beams was significantly higher than other groups (p<0.05), except for SU treated beams (p>0.05) and CTX release of GB treated beams was the highest among the groups with statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The results confirm that the universal adhesives tested have also potential to increase the enzymatic activity in dentin.

This study compared the effect of experimental polymer-based desensitizers with NaF and oxalic acid (OA) for preventing root demineralization via observation using micro-CT. Bovine root dentin surfaces were treated with coating materials: no treatment; MS0(+) (MS Coat One^®); MS3000(+) (MS Coat^®); MS0(−); MS3000(−); MS7000(+/−); fluoride gel (NaF9000). MS; MS polymer, 0–7000; NaF concentrations, (+/−); OA. The specimens were scanned using micro-CT before and after demineralization (pH4.5, 10 h). Following this, the mean mineral loss (ML) after demineralization was calculated, and the specimens were observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The ML values of MS3000(+), MS7000(−), MS7000(+) and NaF9000 were significantly lower than the other groups (p<0.05). Under an SEM, a membrane structure was observed to have formed on the dentin surface in the presence of the MS, fluoride, and OA. The experimental polymer-based desensitizer with oxalic acid and a high concentration of fluoride is effective for preventing root demineralization.

This study aims to elucidate the relationships between the flexural strength and surface topography of composite resin blocks, utilized for the CAD/CAM system, after milling in various step-over amounts. The rectangular specimens were milled from CAD/CAM blocks with step-over amount 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mm; further, a three-point bending test was conducted to reveal the flexural strength. The surface morphology after milling was assessed by a 3D laser microscope. The surface roughness significantly decreased by reducing the step-over amount. Although there was significant association between the surface roughness and flexural strength by the Pearson correlation, the 95% confidence intervals of the flexural strength were between the mirror-polished and sand-blasted groups. These results suggest that a precise step-over amount enables us to obtain a smooth surface. Furthermore, the flexural strength of the rough surface milled by a large step-over amount caused no damage to the composite resin for CAD/CAM crown.

A new photocurable composite resin for dental restorations was synthesized using a monovinyl acrylate diluent. Its polymerization shrinkage, shrinkage stress, degree of conversion, and mechanical properties were investigated and compared to those of a conventional composite resin synthesized using a triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate diluent as well as three commercial resins: Tetric N-Ceram, Neofil, and Gradia Direct. The polymerization shrinkage and shrinkage stress of the new composite resin were statistically lower than those of the conventional resin (p<0.05), but not those of the commercial resins (p>0.05). The degree of conversion of the new resin was statistically better than all other tested resins (p<0.05) except the Neofil resin (p>0.05). The mechanical properties of the resins were not statistically different (p>0.05). Overall, the new composite resin exhibited less polymerization shrinkage, lower shrinkage stress, a higher degree of conversion, and similar mechanical properties to the other resins, demonstrating its potential for clinical application.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a collagen/hyaluronic acid coating without or with incorporated heterodimeric bone morphogenetic protein 2/7 (BMP2/7) on in-vitro osteoblastic differentiation on titanium discs. The multilayer collagen/hyaluronic acid coatings without or without incorporated BMP2/7 were deposited on titanium discs via a layer-by-layer technique. The effects of the coatings were evaluated by assessing the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (an early osteoblastic differentiation marker) and the osteocalcin expression (a late osteoblastic differentiation marker). The expression levels of the osteoblastic genes, such as alkaline phosphatase 2 (AKP2) and osteocalcin (OC) were detected using real-time RT-PCR. ALP activity and OC expression were significantly increased when cells were cultured with collagen/hyaluronic acid+BMP2/7 heterodimer (p<0.05). The same result was found in cells with the expression of a BMP2/7 fusion gene, OC and AKP2. These results indicated that collagen/hyaluronic acid+BMP2/7 heterodimer-coated discs might have the potential to greatly enhance osseointegration than a either BMP2 or BMP7 solution or a mixture of BMP2 and BMP7 BMP2/7.

Silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) is one of the promising ceramics for dental restoration due to providing significant benefits during the application. This study aimed to investigate the potential use of Si₃N₄ for all-ceramic dental restorations by characterizing some critical properties as color shade, mechanical resistance, shear-bond strength and radiolucency. For our study, porous Si₃N₄ ceramic was produced by partial sintering process with limited amounts of sintering additives and low temperature. A commercial ZrO₂ ceramic was prepared according to manufacturer’s instructions and results were compared with Si₃N₄. Si₃N₄ is an attractive ceramic for dental applications with good mechanical properties even in porous form, it has additional advantages over the conventional ceramics used as restorative material, such as, inherent antibacterial/anti-infective activity, radiolucency, and lower hardness. It is expected that Si₃N₄ will become popular in dental applications as well.

The effect of cleaner containing 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) for removing temporary cement remnants on dentin surface was evaluated. Flat dentin surfaces were wet-polished (Co) and HY-BOND temporary cement hard (Shofu) was applied to the surface. This temporary cement was removed using an air-scaler (Sc), brush (Br), or phosphoric acid and NaOCl (NC). A prototype cleaner containing MDP (Kuraray Noritake Dental, Tokyo, Japan) was used with agitation mode (MC+AG). KATANA Avencia block (Kuraray Noritake Dental) was luted with SA Cement Plus Automix (Kuraray Noritake Dental). Co showed significantly higher bond strength than Sc or Br (p<0.001 each). Bond strengths with NC (p=0.99) and MC+AG (p=0.38) did not differ significantly from that with Co. Transmission electron microscopy revealed sufficient interaction of MC+AG. Cleaner containing MDP can effectively remove temporary cement by agitation, and can be expected to improve the chemical bonding ability by binding more MDP to dentin.

This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of Colocasia antiquorum var. esculenta (CA) on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) growth, inflammation, and osteoclastogenesis. CA was effective in inhibiting the growth of P. gingivalis when applied together with an experimental fluoride varnish. CA also significantly decreased the release of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and nitric oxide from lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells. No significant differences in viability were noted between the cells treated with CA and the controls. In addition, CA significantly attenuated osteoclast differentiation on bone marrow macrophages. In conclusion, CA inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis and showed anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoclastogenic effects. Therefore, CA may have the potential to act as a novel natural agent for preventing periodontitis.